Former CFL commissioner Jake Gaudaur dies

Canadian Football Hall of Famer Jake Gaudaur, one of the CFL's most influential commissioners, lost his battle with cancer Tuesday. He was 87.

Gaudaur spent 40 years in the league as a player, executive and commissioner, negotiating a landmark television deal prior to his retirement in 1984.

"He was a very modest man so he never spoke of his accomplishments," said his daughter, Diane Gaudaur. "He was a very quiet man, very humble.

"He was certainly proud of his involvement with the CFL at all levels, even back to the early days."

From 1940 to 1953, Gaudaur played for the Hamilton Tigers, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto RCAF Hurricanes, Toronto Indians (of the Ontario Rugby Football Union), Montreal Alouettes andHamilton Tiger-Cats.

He won Grey Cups as a player with the Hurricanes as well as his final season with the Ticats in '53.

He served as a director with the Ticats in '52 and was the club's president and general manager from 1956 to '67.

Gaudaur, who served as a pilot in the Second World War, was named CFL commissioner in 1968 and served in that capacity for 17 years.

"The passing of Jake Gaudaur has left the CFL family with a heavy heart today," current CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "Jake’s leadership and dedication to the CFL throughout his career were a great service to our league and to the sport of Canadian Football.

"While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his life, his community leadership and all of his wonderful accomplishments."

Gaudaur was inducted into both the Toronto Argonauts and Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was made an officer of the Order of Canada in 1985.

He is also a member of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.